Atherton May By-pass Israel During His Mideast Visit; Report Dayan May Be Invited to Come to the U.s

Ambassador-at-Large Alfred L. Atherton left for London last night en route to Cairo for talks with Egyptian leaders. State Department spokesman Tom Reston said today that Atherton’s plans are “up in the air” and that he may not go to Israel when he completes his talks in Egypt but return to Washington.

Reston’s remarks appeared to bear out an Israel Radio report today that Atherton may bypass Israel and fly back to Washington if Secretary of State Cyrus Vance returns there sooner than expected. Vance is in Moscow today.

According to Israel Radio, Vance may invite Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan to the U.S. next week shortly before Premier Menachem Begin’s visit there during the first week of May. The radio report was not confirmed by official sources in Jerusalem but it appeared that if Dayan does go to Washington next week there would be no need For

PLANS ARE NOT YET JELLED

Reston told reporters at the State Department that “Ambassador Atherton’s plans are up in the air. It is unclear what his trip plans will be after he gets through in Cairo. There have been reports in the Israeli press that

Reston stressed that “it has been some time since we have had face-to-face discussions with the Egyptians.” He said “the President and his advisors have had detailed discussions with Prime Minister Begin several weeks ago during Prime Minister Begin’s visit here…We have not had consultations with the Egyptian government since early

Reston explained that Atherton is stopping over in London to “consult with Harold Saunders, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, who is now in London and also (to) have an opportunity to have discussions with British officials about our continuing efforts to bring about Middle East peace.”

Atherton has been designated by President Carter as Ambassador-at-Large on special assignment to the Middle East and Saunders was nominated by Carter to succeed Atherton as Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. Neither has yet been confirmed by the Senate which has been occupied for the past month with the Panama Canal treaties that were finally ratified yesterday.

Reston said that if Dayan comes to Washington he did not know if he would be accompanying Begin or whether there are any plans for Vance to meet with Dayan. Begin is due in the U.S. to participate in American Jewish community celebrations of Israel’s 30th anniversary. Reston said earlier this week that there were no plans for any Administration officials to meet with Begin.